I peered around the stage curtain to see where she was. Just off my centre spoke, she looked so alive, so radiant. I just wanted to run out there and kiss her, but that would spoil her moment. I was determined to not be ‘that man’, to let her have everything she needed even if it wasn’t me. Even if it meant her going back to that monster. I just wanted to see her smile forever.
Then all too soon the lights went down, and we all slammed onto the stage for the opening number. I was on fire, her smiles and laughter egging me on. The harder I played, the more passion I put into the performance, the louder she screamed. I had never seen her like this, not even when we sang together for fun.
As we took our bows together at the end of the show, I knew that I was going to make her a full member of the band, not just a runner. So I could see that unbridled joy from her each and every day for the rest of their lives. I threw my pick, aiming it carefully so it landed just between her breasts, sliding down into her bra. She smiled, nodding as she retrieved it. That smile did more to me than any sex had my entire life.
Chapter 19
As I came backstage after the gig, it was clear to every single band member there was something serious on my mind.
Harry looked up, “Dude, what is going on? You are never quiet after a gig.”
I sat down with them in the green room sipping my beer.
“Jesus, you are acting like someone died,” Ted commented.
“Did you two break up or something, because she looked pretty happy to me,” Callum commented.
“Don’t see why you are so hung up on her, she can’t even sing. Not like I can!” Claire huffed storming back to her dressing room.
Rose rolled her eyes. “That girl has it bad for you Ade, no wonder she quit as soon as Lily came on the scene.”
I ignored the comments, Claire did nothing for me. “Lily did look happy, didn’t she?” I muttered to myself.
Harry kicked me. “Dude what the fuck? Seriously? I am cutting you off if you don’t tell us.”
I sighed. “We want another backing singer to replace Claire when she leaves next week, right?”
“Well duh, Shelly and Rose have auditions set up,” Callum commented.
“Twenty of the best and brightest,” Rose added.
“What if we just took English?” I asked. “She knows all of the lyrics, all the songs and every variant that we have covered these last few months. She has a great voice. And honestly, do we have time to train a greenie to the music? Claire leaves on New Year’s Eve after the awards. We barely got her to stay that long.”
Money started exchanging hands between the band members.
“Hey, you said fifty euro, not twenty! Callum objected. “Pay up properly!”
More money exchanged hands.
“What the fuck are you tossers doing? I asked ye a serious question, I expect a serious answer back. To discuss this as the band that we are!” I snapped.
Harry laughed. “Dude, we all had this conversation when Lil came on board and we all agreed. She’s a hard worker, got incredible talent and most importantly, she can deal with your bullshit. We have all just been waiting for you to play catch up and ask her! Even Shelly’s onboard and you know she doesn’t even like the girl.”
“Plus, it isn’t like you two are gonna break up anytime soon. Girl’s head over heels for ye and you for her. It’s meant to be. There’s no way that you are gonna marry the girl and not ask her to share a stage with you,” Rose commented.
“Why are ye all obsessed with me marrying her?” I exclaimed. “Six weeks, it has been six weeks!”
“You love singing with her far too much to give that up. You won’t be happy until she is equal in stage time with you. You two are too damn good vocally together to not be album material. You complement each other in every way,” Callum finished.
I found tears dampening my cheeks. “So, youse are all okay with her being a part of us?”
“You moron, she is a part of us and always will be,” Harry said. “Now go get her before I do.”
I rushed around to the access doors between backstage and front of house asking security for the right door and if she passed yet. She was lingering at the back, ticker tape wrapped around her neck as the venue security started the floor sweep. Walking slowly, taking it all in as she went. I waited for the nod from my team, when it came banging the door open just long enough to grab her and drag her inside.
“Hello,” she said softly as she found herself pinned between her Irish lover and the wall. “Miss me?”
“Too fucking much,” I whispered back before claiming her mouth with mine in the most passionate kiss we had ever shared. Tonight, she was mine, nobody else’s.
Chapter 20
Adrian’s POV
Christmas Eve, of all nights to be doing a blasted live show, so none of them could go home to see their families. Well, those of us who still had family. Didn’t really matter to me where I was for Christmas, as I didn’t have anyone outside of the band, but I did feel bad for all of the rest of them. Even Lily was quiet the last few days. I offered to let her go if she wanted, but she said
